Support the CCW's Annual Appalachian Christmas Mission

The Council of Catholic Women (CCW) is once again holding its Appalachia Christmas Collection and Papal Footprints Shoebox Mission, now through October 16. A flyer with gift ideas and the drop-off box are in the gathering space. You may use the collection box for individual/loose gifts from the below list or for filled shoeboxes.

• New Items only, please!
• The youngsters especially appreciate receiving their own personal gifts.
• We encourage families to donate an adult sized shoebox (or backpack for teens) that contain items that are warm (hats, mittens, socks), fun (age appropriate, but no toy guns or violent toys), useful (school supplies), hygienic (no liquids), and a religious item (a rosary, statue, prayer card).
• Feel free to add a personal greeting card or note.
• Please do not tape the box shut but secure it with a tie or rubber band. Do not use plastic storage boxes as they may shatter in transport.
• Importantly, each shoe box needs to be tagged or clearly marked on the outside with information about the intended child or adult being gifted.

SUGGESTED SHOEBOX ITEMS
Dolls, balls, stuffed animals, small musical instruments, slinky, play-doh, crayons, colored pencils, coloring book, school supplies, notebooks, paints, barettes, hair ties, headbands, shoe, socks, underwear, bag or purse, bracelets, some sunglasses, lip balm, mirror, watch, flip-flops, sweatshirt, sweatpants, nightgown or pajamas, puzzles, books, flashlight, deodorant hat, scarf, mittens, sewing kit, picture frame, playing cards, small blanket, blocks, stickers, kitchen items for cooking, and baking, stickers, tennis balls, comb, brush, toothbrush, a washcloth, small cars and trucks, interactive toys (please include extra batteries), hacky sack, nail clipper, small tools, games, cosmetics, wallets, jewelry, slippers, batteries 

Note: Try to include a "wow" item, a personal care item, a useful item, and a fun item. 

OTHER NEEDS THAT MAY NOT FIT IN A SHOEBOX
Towels, laundry soap, large t­-shirts and sweatshirts, blankets and bedding, hunting clothes, coats and shoes for kids, wrapping paper, craft kits, ornaments, toiletries (please put lotion and shampoo in a ziploc bag to prevent spills).

DO NOT SEND
Please do not include canned goods or food items, used or damaged items, or scary or war-related items such as toy guns or knives. 

The early collection date (October 16) is needed to facilitate the CCW packing the donations into shipping boxes, transporting them to Southern Minnesota for consolidating with donations from throughout the Archdiocese, then on to the four churches in Kentucky by the end of November. In other words, this is a huge logistical undertaking.

God bless you for helping the CCW provide a merry Christmas to families in need! Visit the Affiliated Organizations webpage for more information about the local CCW.